Vehicle for invalids



Jan. 11, 1949. s. DUKE VEHICLE FOR INVALIDS Filed Sept. 7, 1945 Sheets-Sheet 1 QZh-venjor:

s; DUKE VEHICLE- FOR INVALIDS Jan. 11, 1949.

2 Sheets-Shae; 2

Filed Sept. 7, 1945 wifizsht'wor strain on the limbs.

Patented Jan. 11, 1949 2,459,066 v vmrr'emnon nvvnmis m Duke, ifiaKO, l Application September 7, 194fi'Serial*No:6 1 -4;965

4 Claims. (cuss-e22) This invention relates generally to improvements in vehicles for .invalids of that. typ p mitting the invalid to" move about from'place' to place while standing or sitting without placing An inmo'rtant ta provide invalid. walker that in operation imparts little or no jar or vibration to tiwocbunant, that is very easilr op r tedand so responsive to the operator that it may be guided from place to place and maneuvered generally with'ibntslight efiort. "i

fil ul'tl'iii object is to provide a vehicle toninvalids and convalescents that is devoid of vibration and play in use. Still another object isto provide a vehicle for invalids and convalescents that is of light weight but sturdy construction, inexpensive to manufacture, composed of few parts all of which are readily accessible for repair or adjustment, and that is durable and efficient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter fully described, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part of this patent, and in which Fig. 1 is a view of the improved structure in perspective, illustrating its use.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, taken on the line 3-3 of Flg. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail view, partly in section, of one crutch attachment member and its connection to the frame of the vehicle, taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 5.

desired. The frame consists of two twin parallel side members I, each including a horizontal top rail 2, vertical end rails 3, 4 receiving in their lower ends the shanks 5 of casters 6.

The vertical rails 4 are connected by braces 1 thus forming the front and closed end of the frame, the opposite or rear end being open to provide entrance and exit means; said end rails being connected by a longitudinally extending brace .8 and each top rail -;2 and brace 8' beingconnected by a vertical brace 9. The shank 5 oi 'each is formed its upper portion with aphrsali-ty or perforations adapted for alignment with-asimfllar perforation" in said rail to receive.

the screwbolit in providedwith a nut -l| rorretiairringthe firarnein adjusted position above the.

gronndline.

. iweiaeear otherwise suitably secured to the two lower braces- .t between said side members is the sleeve M termed with a plurality of perforations k3 and-adjustably receiving one end of the angu larvseatbar -M formed with corresponding per-1 forations which when aligned with perforations [3 receive a screwbolt l0 to retain said seat bar in position, said seat bar at its outer end being provided with the soft cushioned saddle l8. Secured to and depending from said seat bar I4 is the seat post l5 connected by the brace l6 and fitting I! to sleeve l2, said seat post at its lower end being supported by the caster 6.

Welded or otherwise secured to each vertical brace 9 is a tube l9 freely received upon the upper end of which is the collar 2b upon which is similarly disposed the sleeve 2i, to which is secured the hand grip 22, said collar and sleeve being adjustably connected to perforated portions of the crutch 23 received in said sleeve collar and tube and secured by screwbolts I0 and nuts I I.

Obviously said crutches are capable of vertical adjustment and when satisfactorily adjusted may be securely maintained in the desired position by bolts and nuts III, II, said crutches being so angled or shaped that their topmost substantially horizontal ends 24 provided with armpit rests 25 of cushioned material are positioned to comfortably accommodate the user and sustain a mate rial portion of his weight when he straddles the saddle, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

In use the seat or saddle I8 is so adjusted as to comfortably receive the user while permitting his feet to engage the floor to propel the vehicle which may readily be moved forward, backward, laterally, at any angle, or pivotally if desired to turn around or make a short turn. The hand grips may serve as rests and to assist in guiding the vehicle. The weight of the user upon the seat while received directly upon the caster at the end of the seat post also greatly steadies the vehicle due to the brace l6 and fitting [1 engaging the stout tube l9 welded to braces I. When stationary the user may place his feet upon the lower brace! as a foot rest if desired. The vehicle is very safe and comfortable in use due to its light weight, great strength and low bers, a tube carried by said braces forwardly of said crutches, a seat rearwardly of said crutches, a seat bar carried by said tube carrying said seat, a wheeled seat post supporting one end of said seat bar and said seat, and a brace connecting said seat post and seat tube.

4. In a vehicle for invalids, a wheeled frame including side members, braces connecting said side members, tubescarried by said side members for- Wardly thereof, collars upon said tubes, sleeves upon said collars, crutches 'adjustably received in said tubes, collars and sleeves, means for locksirable, I do not wish to be limited to these details except as defined in the appended claims. 7

What is claimed is:

1. In a vehicle for invalids, a frame including side members, braces connecting said side mem:

bers, crutches carried by said side members, a H I I seat, a seat post supporting said seat at one sideof said crutches, and a seat bar for said seat extending therefrom to the opposite side of said crutches and supported by said braces.

2. In a vehicle for invalids and convalescents, a-wheeled frame including side members, braces connecting said side members, crutches carried by said side members, a tube carried by said braces, a seat, a wheeled seat post supporting said seat at the opposite side of said crutches with respect to said tube, and a seat bar for said seat adjustably supported in said tube.

3. In a vehicle for invalids, a wheeled fram including side members, braces connecting said side members, crutches carried by said sidememframe.

ing said crutches in adjusted positions connectingsame and said collars, hand grips carried by said sleeves, and a seat carried by said SAM DUKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileofthispatentz" 'UNITED STATESYPAI'IENTS, I

Number Name 1,307,058 McGrath 'June 17, 1919' 1,949,163 Kasten'et al Feb. 27, 1934' 2,077,569 'Kish Apr. 20, 1937'- 2,278,901 Smock Apr; 7; 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS i Number Country 1 '-Date France Feb. 7, 1938 

